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Please someone help me. Could my second low positive be a false positive?
I retook my test from February. My first exposure was in September. I never thought I had it, ended up getting Chlamydia and I just wanted to double check so I get a full screening. My first IGG level in February was 1.41. I retested March 25 and my new number was 1.60. From Quest Diagnostics I plan on doing Western Blot but could this be a false positive? I expected the numbers to jump higher if I indeed had herpes.
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You say your first exposure was in Sept. Do you have a second exposure?
Do you have symptoms? Why were you testing? What was your exposure?
Without knowing any of that, it's hard to say. It definitely could be a false positive, just based on the numbers - anything lower than a 3.5 has about a 50/50 chance of being a false positive.
Do you have symptoms? Why were you testing? What was your exposure?
Without knowing any of that, it's hard to say. It definitely could be a false positive, just based on the numbers - anything lower than a 3.5 has about a 50/50 chance of being a false positive.
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Oh and is this for hsv1 or hsv2?
We only had sex 4 times my last time was Oct 29. Still no symptoms. He’s acting like he doesn't have it which makes me think I don’t either. I always test but I went to a different place for my Pap smear and they just so happen to test for it. Also it’s for HSV 2.
Also what could throw these tests off? I read that Quest Diagnostics isn’t reliable why are they still able to administer these tests.
It could be a false positive. Experts think that anything under a 3.5 needs to be confirmed. Will your partner test? That would go a long way to determining if you have it or not.
You may need to take a Western Blot test for a confirmation. Your doctor can order this test, or you can get it through Terri Warren on her site. If you do it through Terri Warren, you'll have to self-pay, and it's expensive.
https://westoverheights.com/getting-a-herpes-western-blot/
Quest isn't the issue, it's just the test.
Is this your only partner ever?
You may need to take a Western Blot test for a confirmation. Your doctor can order this test, or you can get it through Terri Warren on her site. If you do it through Terri Warren, you'll have to self-pay, and it's expensive.
https://westoverheights.com/getting-a-herpes-western-blot/
Quest isn't the issue, it's just the test.
Is this your only partner ever?
It’s not my only partner but I’m 100% positive the others are ok. He took the test but acts like he doesn’t want to tell me as if I’m the dirty one. I believe he’s clean and doesn’t want to tell me because he has nothing to worry about. Is he allowed to do this am I able to take legal actions? I strongly believe i don’t have it I’m not an asymptomatic person. My body would show me if I had it, What’s the typical number for someone who has herpes?
You don't know that you have herpes yet, so legally, I'm not sure you can do anything about the guy. Just get your WB test, and see what it says, and go from there. Laws differ from place to place. If you have it, and can prove that he knew before you had sex, you may have a case.
As to a typical number, no. Anything over 3.5 is definitely positive. Some people might get a 5.something, others an 8.something or an 11.something. I've seen as high as numbers in the 40s and 50s, but usually labs stop the tests when they are clearly positive.
The number doesn't mean anything. I could have a 12.8 on my test, and someone else could have a 40.4, and I could have more outbreaks, or fewer outbreaks. You can't predict anything from the number.
The words "dirty" and "clean" that you probably used without thinking don't mean anything in regards to who has STDs. I've had herpes for well over 15 years, and I assure you I'm not dirty. Dirty people don't bathe. Using those words in regards to STDs contributes to the stigma that STDs have, and I just want to point that out. I don't take offense, because I'm sure you didn't mean any, but please consider that when using those terms in the future.
Did you get an hsv1 test? What were those results?
As to a typical number, no. Anything over 3.5 is definitely positive. Some people might get a 5.something, others an 8.something or an 11.something. I've seen as high as numbers in the 40s and 50s, but usually labs stop the tests when they are clearly positive.
The number doesn't mean anything. I could have a 12.8 on my test, and someone else could have a 40.4, and I could have more outbreaks, or fewer outbreaks. You can't predict anything from the number.
The words "dirty" and "clean" that you probably used without thinking don't mean anything in regards to who has STDs. I've had herpes for well over 15 years, and I assure you I'm not dirty. Dirty people don't bathe. Using those words in regards to STDs contributes to the stigma that STDs have, and I just want to point that out. I don't take offense, because I'm sure you didn't mean any, but please consider that when using those terms in the future.
Did you get an hsv1 test? What were those results?
I’m sorry I didn’t mean it that way. I contracted Chlamydia from him before But he didn’t know he had it and I stopped any dealings with him ever since then I’ve felt that I was “dirty” for awhile but you are right dirty is when you don’t bathe. My HSV 1 was <0.90 what does that even mean wouldn’t it be 0 instead of <0.90? I truly believe I don’t have hsv 2 because my number went from 1.4 to 1.60 which isn’t a difference it’s too close to 1.41, it’s like the test is flawed I believe something in me is throwing the test off I wish I knew what it was.
Oh I wish you wouldn't feel dirty. The only thing different about chlamydia and like strep throat are the parts of body they infect and the mode of transmission, but they are both simple bacteria, and very, very common. If you wouldn't feel dirty if you had strep throat, don't feel dirty about chlamydia.
There is no such thing as a true zero on hsv testing. The only thing that matters is if you are below .90, below 3.5, or above 3.5. The difference statistically between 1.4 and 1.6 isn't that big, so I'd be very surprised if you had it.
The reason I asked if you had hsv1, which you don't, is because for some, it can delay development of hsv2 antibodies (it's not common, but can happen), or make hsv2 infections very mild or asymptomatic.
A lot of experts think that the cutoff of 1.0 is too low for a positive. They think it should be 3.5. If it were 3.5, you'd be considered negative already. There are just some people who have low positives (in the 1+ range), and we don't know why. We know that 50% of those who test between a 1.0 and a 3.5 are false positives, and the lower that number, the greater the chance of it being a false positive. I'd say yours is likely to be an 80-85% chance of a false positive.
And I know you didn't mean it that way towards me, and I didn't take it that way. Loads of people just use those terms without thinking, but it makes me sad for you that you think that way of yourself. :(
There is no such thing as a true zero on hsv testing. The only thing that matters is if you are below .90, below 3.5, or above 3.5. The difference statistically between 1.4 and 1.6 isn't that big, so I'd be very surprised if you had it.
The reason I asked if you had hsv1, which you don't, is because for some, it can delay development of hsv2 antibodies (it's not common, but can happen), or make hsv2 infections very mild or asymptomatic.
A lot of experts think that the cutoff of 1.0 is too low for a positive. They think it should be 3.5. If it were 3.5, you'd be considered negative already. There are just some people who have low positives (in the 1+ range), and we don't know why. We know that 50% of those who test between a 1.0 and a 3.5 are false positives, and the lower that number, the greater the chance of it being a false positive. I'd say yours is likely to be an 80-85% chance of a false positive.
And I know you didn't mean it that way towards me, and I didn't take it that way. Loads of people just use those terms without thinking, but it makes me sad for you that you think that way of yourself. :(
I’ve always been so self conscious about myself so going through all this made it worse especially the Chlamydia but these days I don’t feel no way about hsv2 because I strongly feel like I don’t have it. My doctor is so misinformed she didn’t even want me taking another test she was so set on it being positive the first time. She swears Quest is accurate but when I asked about false positive she wasn’t aware and also I asked her about Western Blot and she said that’s only for HIV. There’s no telling how many people are truly false positive but are told they have it.
Also I’m dealing with someone because I have faith that It’s false positive I haven’t mentioned it to him. I gave him head twice. we had intercourse 3x with a condom. Do you think I’m wrong for not telling him?
Also I’m dealing with someone because I have faith that It’s false positive I haven’t mentioned it to him. I gave him head twice. we had intercourse 3x with a condom. Do you think I’m wrong for not telling him?
I know my body is not asymptomatic because when I had Chlamydia my body showed me symptoms despite it being a silent std like it was for my partner. That’s why I feel like if I had it my body would show me like it does with anything else.
Yeah, a lot of doctors are a mess when it comes to herpes testing.
If your doctor is testing for and treating STDs, she needs to be following the CDC's guidelines. They say, "The most commonly used test, HerpeSelect HSV-2 Elisa might be falsely positive at low index values (1.1–3.5) (334-336). Such low values should be confirmed with another test, such as Biokit or the Western blot (337)."
https://www.cdc.gov/std/tg2015/herpes.htm
It's not so much that your body is symptomatic - it's more about the infections. 80% of women will show symptoms with chlamydia, and 20% of men will have symptoms. Many people with herpes will have mild or no symptoms.
I don't want to make you think you have it, or give you false hope that you don't - I can't say if you have it or not.
I also can't say if it's right or wrong to tell your new partner about this. I always just go by what I'd want to be told, and what kind of relationship it is. There's no risk for him if you give him oral sex. If you have hsv2, it's a genital infection, and you are only infectious from your genitals.
Let's say for a second that you do have hsv2. You take the WB and find out you do. Assuming that you like this guy you're with now, and want it to be a relationship. Any risks aside, how do you think he'll react when you tell him that you knew there was a possibility you had this before you told him? How would you react to that same kind of news from someone you wanted to build a relationship with?
If this is a more casual relationship, and it's one where you aren't trying to build trust, then maybe don't tell him. If you don't think he's safe, then don't tell him. (If he's not safe, why are you sharing your body with him?)
These are questions only you can answer, and you don't have to share your answers with me. Your decision may be different than mine, and that's fine. :)
If your doctor is testing for and treating STDs, she needs to be following the CDC's guidelines. They say, "The most commonly used test, HerpeSelect HSV-2 Elisa might be falsely positive at low index values (1.1–3.5) (334-336). Such low values should be confirmed with another test, such as Biokit or the Western blot (337)."
https://www.cdc.gov/std/tg2015/herpes.htm
It's not so much that your body is symptomatic - it's more about the infections. 80% of women will show symptoms with chlamydia, and 20% of men will have symptoms. Many people with herpes will have mild or no symptoms.
I don't want to make you think you have it, or give you false hope that you don't - I can't say if you have it or not.
I also can't say if it's right or wrong to tell your new partner about this. I always just go by what I'd want to be told, and what kind of relationship it is. There's no risk for him if you give him oral sex. If you have hsv2, it's a genital infection, and you are only infectious from your genitals.
Let's say for a second that you do have hsv2. You take the WB and find out you do. Assuming that you like this guy you're with now, and want it to be a relationship. Any risks aside, how do you think he'll react when you tell him that you knew there was a possibility you had this before you told him? How would you react to that same kind of news from someone you wanted to build a relationship with?
If this is a more casual relationship, and it's one where you aren't trying to build trust, then maybe don't tell him. If you don't think he's safe, then don't tell him. (If he's not safe, why are you sharing your body with him?)
These are questions only you can answer, and you don't have to share your answers with me. Your decision may be different than mine, and that's fine. :)
Yea you right I would hate to put someone through that I planned on cutting him off until I get this situated. I just try to think positive about this as much as I can. I do research every other day on it. I still have scares anytime I see something down there like I had a boil not too long ago and drove myself crazy not knowing what it was because it was like weeks after I shaved but my hairs usually do that. Im scared when I get an ingrown. Hearing that there’s mild to no symptoms also worries me because if it’s no symptoms for me than I always wonder how my partner would react. I’m having discharge with no smell and idk if it’s an outbreak or stress or what I can’t distinguish nothing no more it . I try to research things that could throw the test off can’t find much it’s all so stressful. All I can think is I was sick with the flu when I took it the first time.
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/boil-or-herpes-pics-kinda-graphic-733212?page=0#3694334
Here’s the forum where I posted the pic. Idk if I’m allowed but if you check it out I’d appreciate it.
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/boil-or-herpes-pics-kinda-graphic-733212?page=0#3694334
Here’s the forum where I posted the pic. Idk if I’m allowed but if you check it out I’d appreciate it.
Definitely looks like a boil. Herpes is ON the skin, not under it. Boils are under the skin, which is what that looks like.
Stop researching. You aren't going to find anything new that you haven't already found. The other forum is telling you what I've been telling you. Just get the WB so you can move on from this.
The flu is different than herpes, and doesn't affect the test.
Hang in there.
Stop researching. You aren't going to find anything new that you haven't already found. The other forum is telling you what I've been telling you. Just get the WB so you can move on from this.
The flu is different than herpes, and doesn't affect the test.
Hang in there.
Ok thank you so much talking with you over these days have helped. God Bless You.
You're welcome. Keep me posted, okay? But definitely take some time away from the research, and as much as you can, do something fun or relaxing, okay?
Hey I’m still having faith that it’s false positive it’s always 99% It’s a false positive but that 1% always freaks out now when I get bumps can you distinguish these bumps for me (I recently trimmed with a razor) last Friday https://ibb.co/6w5pqGk https://ibb.co/Xjz8zr5
No, those bumps are way too spread out to be herpes, and they aren't blisters. Herpes are clusters of small blisters. It's not spread out like that.
Try an actual hair trimmer/groomer thing. https://www.amazon.com/REMINGTON-WPG4020US-Smooth-Silky-Bikini/dp/B00BB5YI0Q/ref=zg_bs_13270000011_7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=2T4T5FS4QFK8449BH1KW - something like this is what I mean. (I'm not endorsing this product, haven't used it, have no idea if it's any good or not. It might suck lol. It was the first in my list when I searched ladies hair trimmers. I'm just using it as an example of what I mean.)
Try an actual hair trimmer/groomer thing. https://www.amazon.com/REMINGTON-WPG4020US-Smooth-Silky-Bikini/dp/B00BB5YI0Q/ref=zg_bs_13270000011_7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=2T4T5FS4QFK8449BH1KW - something like this is what I mean. (I'm not endorsing this product, haven't used it, have no idea if it's any good or not. It might suck lol. It was the first in my list when I searched ladies hair trimmers. I'm just using it as an example of what I mean.)
Thank you lol I’m sorry to have to bother you with this it was this bump > (that made me stress) https://ibb.co/0QZ6zvy would you consider this a razor bump? Or a case of follicitius (if you are familiar with it) I try to educate myself a lot about the vagina but I still get confused sometimes.. I still would like a different input. And also I decided to leave guys alone and just focus on myself for awhile and practice self love. I thought about what you said and I really shouldn’t be thinking so negative about myself. It’s time for a change
I can't tell you if that's folliculitis - I'm not a doctor and can't diagnose you - but that's not herpes. That looks like a pimple-like sore, or a clogged hair follicle, and herpes is a bunch of little blisters.
Self-love is an awesome thing. I hope you learn not to be negative about yourself. You deserve to give yourself the kindness you show to others. We're here when you need us.
Self-love is an awesome thing. I hope you learn not to be negative about yourself. You deserve to give yourself the kindness you show to others. We're here when you need us.
Hey could lower abdomen pain on one side be a symptom? I never ovulation pains I read that it could be a sign. It’s on my left side starts from top of belly button whole down my left side to my hips, Idk what it could be just ruling things out.
No, herpes doesn't usually give you abdominal pain. If that lingers for longer than a couple of days, definitely get that checked out. It could be an ovarian cyst, or any number of other things that need medical attention.
Hey! I recently did a blood test at Lab Corp! It says HSV 2 igg type spec.. 1.92, then it has another HSV test. HSV 2 igg supplemental test and it says Negative. Could this be the confirmation I need that it’s a false positive?
Yes. We've seen some people who come back with positives on the LabCorp supplements that actually don't have it, but so far, I don't think there are any who have had negatives that actually have it. Since you've had no actual herpes symptoms, I think you can take it as a confirmed negative. :)
Congrats!
Congrats!
Thank you sooooo much!!!! For the support God Bless You!!!
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Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
